U.S. patent application number 14/162451 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-23 for online interactive bidding methods and systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark William Humble. Invention is credited to Mark William Humble.
Application Number | 20150206261 14/162451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53545206 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150206261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Humble; Mark William |
July 23, 2015 |
ONLINE INTERACTIVE BIDDING METHODS AND SYSTEMS
Abstract
Online interactive bidding methods and systems used to sell
products to consumers are disclosed. The methods and systems
require a webpage that lists a product for sale and contains
interactive webpage elements that permit a consumer to bid on the
product and a computing device that receives product and bid
information and immediately calculates counteroffers and displays
the counteroffers and other optional information to the consumer.
Through an iterative bid and counteroffer process, the consumer and
product owner conclude a product purchase or terminate the bidding
process.
Inventors: |
Humble; Mark William;
(Nashville, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Humble; Mark William |
Nashville |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53545206 |
Appl. No.: |
14/162451 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/08 20130101;
G06Q 50/188 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/18 20060101
G06Q050/18; G06Q 30/08 20060101 G06Q030/08 |
Claims
1. An online interactive bidding method comprising displaying on a
website a webpage containing a listing for a product for sale and
one or more interactive webpage elements that permit a consumer
viewing the webpage to bid on and purchase the product; and
providing a computing device that interacts online via the internet
with the webpage and receives from the webpage (1) information that
identifies the product, (2) the bid placed by the consumer for the
product, and (3) information that the consumer elected to purchase
the product; wherein the computing device is associated with one or
more database containing information about the product, and wherein
the computing device is under the control of a software program
that immediately (1) accesses the database and determines the
identity of the product, (2) evaluates the bid from the consumer,
(3) either accepts the bid or calculates a counteroffer, (4)
displays on a webpage either a message that the bid was accepted or
the counteroffer, (5) optionally, displays on a webpage one or more
optional items of information from the database about the product,
(6) when a counteroffer is made, displays a countdown timer showing
the amount of time the consumer has to make a bid counteroffer, (7)
when a counteroffer is made, displays an interactive webpage
element that permits the consumer to make a bid counteroffer in
response to the counteroffer and any optional items of information
about the product from the database, and (8) when a counteroffer is
made, displays an interactive webpage element that permits the
consumer to accept any counteroffer from the computing device and
elect to purchase the product.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein bid and counteroffer process is
repeated one or more times.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumer receives a
counteroffer and related information within about 5 minutes or less
from the time the bid is communicated to the computing device.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising one or more interactive
webpage elements that permit the consumer to review and conform the
original bid, any bid counteroffers, and any purchase decision
before submitting the information to the computing device
5. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more optional items of
information about the product is disclosed along with each
computing device counteroffer.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the item of information is one or
more of laudatory comments about the product, detailed information
about the product, images of the product, incentives relating to
the product, specifications for the product, and videos about the
product.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the listing for the product is a
written description of the product.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the listing for the product
further comprises one or more of (1) a detailed written description
of the product, (2) a price for the product, (3) a image or a video
of the product, (4) contact or other information about the product
seller, (5) terms or conditions relating to the bidding process,
(6) one or more textboxes suitable for collecting information from
the consumer; and (7) one or more textboxes or other elements that
permit a consumer to submit question to the product owner
concerning the product.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the original bid and any
counteroffers and bid counteroffers are binding.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the original bid and any
counteroffers and bid counteroffers are non-binding.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein webpage elements are buttons,
option buttons, toggle buttons, popup windows, checkboxes, labels,
images, icons, textboxes, countdown timers, and web frames.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein webpage elements are buttons,
textboxes, and popup windows.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the popup windows are modal,
non-modal, or a combination thereof.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a
computer, tablet, or smartphone.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a
computer.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein database contains information
about an asking price, one or more laudatory comments about the
product, one or more messages or images indicating that a bid was
accepted, one or more images of the product, a minimum acceptable
price, one or more bid factors used by the software program to
calculate the number of counteroffers and the numerical value for
counteroffers.
17. An online interactive bidding system comprising a website
displaying a webpage containing a listing for a product for sale
and one or more interactive webpage elements that permit a consumer
viewing the webpage to bid on and purchase the product; and
computing device that interacts online via the internet with the
webpage and receives from the webpage (1) information that
identifies the product, (2) the bid placed by the consumer for the
product, and (3) information that the consumer elected to purchase
the product; wherein the computing device is associated with one or
more database containing information about the product, and wherein
the computing device is under the control of a software program
that immediately (1) accesses the database and determines the
identity of the product, (2) evaluates the bid from the consumer,
(3) either accepts the bid or calculates a counteroffer, (4)
displays on a webpage either a message that the bid was accepted or
the counteroffer, (5) optionally, displays on a webpage one or more
optional items of information from the database about the product,
(6) when a counteroffer is made, displays a countdown timer showing
the amount of time the consumer has to make a bid counteroffer, (7)
when a counteroffer is made, displays an interactive webpage
element that permits the consumer to make a bid counteroffer in
response to the counteroffer and any optional items of information
about the product from the database, and (8) when a counteroffer is
made, displays an interactive webpage element that permits the
consumer to accept any counteroffer from the computing device and
elect to purchase the product.
18. A means for communicating information about or instructions for
using online interactive bidding methods and systems useful for
selling products to consumers comprising a document, digital
storage media, optical storage media, audio presentation, or visual
display containing the information or instructions.
19. The means of claim 18 wherein the means is selected from the
group consisting of a webpage, webpage element, brochure, product
label, advertisement, or visual display containing such information
or instructions.
20. The means of claim 18 wherein the means is selected from the
group consisting of a displayed webpage, a popup window, and web
frame on a displayed webpage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to methods and systems for
bidding on products for sale and particularly to online interactive
methods and systems for bidding on products for sale.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] As the popularity of the internet increases, more and more
consumers are using the internet to shop for and purchase products.
In some situations, consumers are purchasing products using
convenient and accessible auctions or online bidding methods and
systems. For example, websites such as those owned by eBay, Inc.
and TechMediaNetwork, Inc. display webpages that allow a consumer
to place a bid on products listed for sale on the webpages,
typically by selecting an interactive "Make offer" button, placing
a bid number in an associated textbox, reviewing the offer, and
submitting the bid by pressing a "Submit offer" button. The product
owner then evaluates the bid and either accepts the bid or declines
the bid and possibly makes a counteroffer. This process is useful
but is hindered by the time it takes the product owner to recognize
the bid, evaluate the bid, and make a counteroffer. Typically, it
takes hours to days for the product owner to respond to the
consumer's bids and the consumer to receive the response. To the
chagrin of the parties, the consumer has often forgotten about the
bid, lost interest in the product, or purchased another product
instead of the product bid upon. As a result, the product owner
often loses the sale because of the delay in processing and
responding to the bid.
[0005] US20080288349 discloses methods and systems for facilitate
online interactive communications. US20120185348 discloses systems
and methods for implementing iterated sealed-bid auctions.
US20120084171 discloses systems and methods for submitting a
user-defined super bid that overrides an auction countdown.
US20130297424 discloses methods for automating haggling before
physical point-of-sale commerce. U.S. Pat. No. 8,364,544 discloses
a comprehensive online bidding and sales management system for
merchant processing services. US20130110652 discloses methods for
negotiating product purchase using an electronic device.
US20030111531 discloses methods and systems for interactively
providing product related information on demand and providing
personalized transactional benefits at a point of purchase.
[0006] Bidding methods and systems known in the art can be useful
for selling products. However, they do not facilitate timely and
efficient interactions between a consumer and the product owner
engaged in a bidding process. There is, therefore, a need for
online bidding methods and systems that significantly reduce the
time required for the consumer and product owner to interact in a
bidding process and either conclude or reject a product sale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide
online interactive bidding methods useful for selling products to
consumers.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide online
interactive bidding systems useful for selling products to
consumers.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a means
of communicating information about or instructions for using online
interactive bidding methods and systems useful for selling products
to consumers.
[0010] These and other objects of the invention are achieved
through the use of methods and systems that display on a website a
webpage containing a listing for a product for sale and one or more
interactive webpage elements that permit a consumer viewing the
webpage to bid on and purchase the product; and provide a computing
device that interacts online via the internet with the webpage and
receives from the webpage (1) information that identifies the
product, (2) the bid placed by the consumer for the product, and
(3) information that the consumer elected to purchase the product;
wherein the computing device is associated with one or more
database containing information about the product, and wherein the
computing device is under the control of a software program that
immediately (1) accesses the database and determines the identity
of the product, (2) evaluates the bid from the consumer, (3) either
accepts the bid or calculates a counteroffer, (4) displays on a
webpage either a message that the bid was accepted or the
counteroffer, (5) optionally, displays on a webpage one or more
optional items of information from the database about the product,
(6) when a counteroffer is made, displays a countdown timer showing
the amount of time the consumer has to make a bid counteroffer, (7)
when a counteroffer is made, displays an interactive webpage
element that permits the consumer to make a bid counteroffer in
response to the counteroffer and any optional items of information
about the product from the database, and (8) when a counteroffer is
made, displays an interactive webpage element that permits the
consumer to accept any counteroffer from the computing device and
elect to purchase the product.
[0011] Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the
claimed invention nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope
of the claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In one aspect, the invention provides online interactive
bidding methods useful for selling products to consumers. The
methods comprise displaying on a website a webpage containing a
listing for a product for sale and one or more interactive webpage
elements that permit a consumer viewing the webpage to bid on and
purchase the product; and providing a computing device that
interacts online via the internet with the webpage and receives
from the webpage (1) information that identifies the product, (2)
the bid placed by the consumer for the product, and (3) information
that the consumer elected to purchase the product; wherein the
computing device is associated with one or more database containing
information about the product, and wherein the computing device is
under the control of a software program that immediately (1)
accesses the database and determines the identity of the product,
(2) evaluates the bid from the consumer, (3) either accepts the bid
or calculates a counteroffer, (4) displays on a webpage either a
message that the bid was accepted or the counteroffer, (5)
optionally, displays on a webpage one or more optional items of
information from the database about the product, (6) when a
counteroffer is made, displays a countdown timer showing the amount
of time the consumer has to make a bid counteroffer, (7) when a
counteroffer is made, displays an interactive webpage element that
permits the consumer to make a bid counteroffer in response to the
counteroffer and any optional items of information about the
product from the database, and (8) when a counteroffer is made,
displays an interactive webpage element that permits the consumer
to accept any counteroffer from the computing device and elect to
purchase the product.
[0014] Typically, the consumer and the computing device engage in
an iterative process wherein the bid and counteroffer process is
repeated one or more times. When a first counteroffer is made, the
consumer enters a second bid. Then, the computing device makes one
or more additional counteroffers and optionally displays one or
more additional optional items of information in response to one or
more bid counteroffers from the consumer. For example, if a
consumer bids $10,000 on an automobile listed at a $12,000 asking
price, the computing device counteroffer may be $11,500, which is
displayed without, but preferably with, any optional additional
information. A countdown timer giving the consumer 1 minute to make
a bid counteroffer is displayed on the webpage. If the consumer
makes a bid counteroffer of 10,500, the computing device
immediately makes another counteroffer of $11,000 and displays an
optional item of information from the database pointing out that
the automobile has low mileage for its model year. A countdown
timer giving the consumer 2 minutes to make a bid counteroffer is
displayed on the webpage. The consumer makes a subsequent bid
counteroffer and the computing device makes a subsequent
counteroffer and displays an optional item of information from the
database pointing out that the automobile comes with an inventive
comprising 4 free oil changes for the automobile. This process is
repeated as many times as allowed by the software program
controlling the computing device, either alone based on an
algorithm in the software program or using calculations based on
bid factors in the database. In all instances, the webpage displays
one or more interactive webpage elements that permits the consumer
or the computing device to accept any offer (e.g., the asking
price) or counteroffer, typically a clickable button or a touchable
icon.
[0015] In preferred embodiments, the computing device also displays
one or more interactive webpage elements that permit the consumer
to review and conform the original bid, any bid counteroffers, and
any purchase decision before submitting the information to the
computing device.
[0016] All bids, counteroffers, purchase decisions, confirmations,
and other information can be displayed using one or more
interactive webpage elements on the initial webpage or on one or
more other webpages or interactive webpage elements on such
webpages.
[0017] In preferred embodiments, one or more optional items of
information about the product retrieved from the database are
displayed with each computing device counteroffer. Items of
information include, but are not limited to, laudatory comments
about the product, detailed information about the product, images
of the product, incentives relating to the product, specifications
for the product, videos about the product, and the like. Incentives
include coupons or free items that accompany or are useful with the
product, e.g., a percentage off the price or free maintenance
associated with the product. In various embodiments, the
information is a laudatory comment about the product that is
designed to encourage the consumer to make a bid counteroffer to
the latest counteroffer from the computing device, e.g.,
information highlighting the low mileage of an automobile,
information highlighting the health benefits of a product,
information about the inventory of a product, or information about
low cost of or free shipping for a product. In certain embodiments,
information includes images of the product that are designed to
induce the consumer to purchase the product, e.g., an image that
emphasized a positive attribute of the product or an image designed
to be attractive to the consumer.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the optional items of information
are displayed sequentially over time following a counteroffer. For
example, a counteroffer is displayed along with an optional item of
information and a timer counting down for two minutes, the time the
consumer has to make a bid counteroffer. If the consumer has not
placed a bid counteroffer within 1 minute after the timer starts,
another item of information is displayed. Then, if the consumer has
not placed a bid counteroffer within 1.5 minutes after the timer
starts, another item of information is displayed. Then, another
after 1.75 minutes, and the like.
[0019] The optional items of information displayed on the webpage
along with counteroffers are displayed using any suitable methods
for displaying information on a webpage. In various embodiments,
the items of information are displayed aurally or visually, e.g.,
sound recordings, video recordings, visual text, popup windows
(also known in the art as popup boxes) showing text, popup windows
showing images, or popup windows showing videos. In one embodiment,
the information is displayed as text and images in a web frame. In
a preferred embodiment, the information is displayed as text in
popup windows on the webpage.
[0020] The original bid, any counteroffers, any bid counteroffers,
and the election to purchase can be binding or non-binding. In
embodiments wherein the bids are binding, the webpage displays an
accept button or similar webpage element for the consumer to accept
the computing device's latest counteroffer. Similarly, when the
consumer makes an offer or bid counteroffer, the computing device
displays a message indicating that the bid or bid counteroffer has
been accepted. In these embodiments, the computing device may
subsequently display on the webpage instructions for completing the
purchase, e.g., purchaser identity, payment methods, and shipping
or local pickup terms. In embodiments wherein the bids are
non-binding, the webpage generally displays instructions designed
to encourage the consumer to go to a location where the consumer
can view and/or test the product and typically interact with a
salesperson that explains the attributes of the product and
completes the sale.
[0021] The listing for a product for sale can be a simple written
description of the product or an image of the product. In preferred
embodiments, the webpage contains a listing for the product for
sale comprising one or more of (1) a detailed written description
of the product, e.g., specifications; (2) a price for the product;
(3) an image or a video of the product; (4) contact and/or other
information about the product seller; (5) terms and/or conditions
relating to the bidding process; (6) one or more textboxes suitable
for collecting information from the consumer, e.g., one or more of
the consumer's name, address, phone number, age, gender, income,
email address; (7) one or more textboxes or other elements that
permit a consumer to submit question to the product owner
concerning the product; and the like. In certain embodiments, such
webpage contains a checkbox, toggle button, or similar webpage
element that requires the consumer to indicate that the terms
and/or conditions of the bidding process are acceptable to the
consumer before the bidding process begins, i.e., before the
consumer can place a first bid.
[0022] The interactive webpage elements useful in the invention are
any webpage elements that facilitate and allow for completion of
the bidding process. In preferred embodiments, the webpage elements
are one or more webpage buttons that displays one or more textboxes
suitable for receiving consumer input when the button is touched by
the consumer or clicked by the consumer using a mouse pointer. The
consumer inputs a numerical bid into the textbox and interacts with
the webpage to send the bid to a remote computing device via the
internet, e.g., by touching or clicking on a send or make offer
button on the webpage. The interactive webpage element that permits
the consumer to accept any counteroffer from the computing device
is typically a button, e.g., an "Accept" or "Buy" button.
[0023] In one embodiment, the bid related interactive webpage
elements are simply a textbox that only accepts numerical data (the
bid), a "Submit" button that sends the bid to the computing device
when "pressed" by the consumer, and an "Accept" button that sends
the confirmation that the consumer purchased the product to the
computing device when "pressed" by the consumer. After receiving
the bid, the computing device immediately displays a numerical
counteroffer, a countdown timer, and laudatory information about
the product in one or more popup windows on a webpage being viewed
by the consumer. The consumer can view the counteroffer and
information and place a bid counteroffer using the webpage elements
used to place the original offer. This process repeats until the
consumer decides not to place another bid by allowing the countdown
timer to expire, the consumer presses the Accept button, or the
computing device terminates the process, e.g., because the bid is
too low to warrant engaging the consumer in the process.
[0024] Computing devices useful in the invention are any computing
devices capable of interacting with a database containing data,
running a program capable of processing the data, and interacting
with a website to receive data from and display data on a webpage.
Such devices are well known to skilled artisans. Preferred
computing devices include computers containing media that stores
data and programs and containing electronic components that permit
the computer to interact with websites via the internet, e.g.,
desktop personal computers, workstations, and laptops. Other
computing devices include tablets, smartphones or other WAP-enabled
devices, and similar devices that perform the same functions. In a
preferred embodiment, the computing device is a desktop or laptop
computer that contains a hard drive or other storage media that
stores the program and the database and contains equipment and
software that permits the computing device access the database and
access the internet and websites on the internet, e.g., a modem and
an internet browser such as Microsoft's internet explorer. Such
devices and programs are known to skilled artisans.
[0025] The computing device typically runs a browser application
and a database management system (DBMS). The browser application
may be an HTTP client such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla
Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and the like. The browser may
also include a WAP-enabled browser in the case of a cell phone, PDA
or other wireless device allowing a user of the computing device to
access, process and view information and webpages available to it
from the internet. The DMBS may be SQL, ODBC, JDB, and the
like.
[0026] The computing device can run any suitable operating system,
e.g., Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, Android, iOS, Linux, OS X,
IBM z/OS, and the like.
[0027] The computing devices are associated with or coupled to one
or more databases containing information about the product. The
association permits computing devices under the control of one or
more software programs to access data in the database, via a
database management system, and perform calculations or other
actions on or using the data based upon instructions from the
software programs, e.g., display the data on a computer monitor or
on a webpage or calculate counteroffers using the information in
the database. The database can be any suitable database
application, e.g., Microsoft Access, Oracle, and the like.
[0028] Information in the database about the product useful in the
invention is any qualitative or quantitative data that facilitates
the online interactive bidding methods and systems of the
invention. Typical information includes an asking price, one or
more laudatory comments about the product, one or more messages or
images indicating that a bid was accepted, one or more images of
the product, a minimum acceptable price, one or more bid factors
used by the software program to calculate the number of
counteroffers and the numerical value for counteroffers. Usually,
the data is text and numbers associates with bidding and making
counteroffers, e.g., numerical bids and laudatory comments about
the product. Such information also includes images that convey
information about the product.
[0029] In some embodiments, the database contains one or more bid
factors that are used to determine if the bid made is considered a
bid worth considering and making a counteroffer. The software
program evaluates the bid using these factors and (1) proceeds
using the methods described herein if the bid is worth considering
or (2) displays a message to the consumer on the webpage that the
bid was not considered and invites the consumer to submit another
bid. The message is displayed using any suitable method, e.g., a
popup message or a message highlighted in an element on the
webpage, e.g., frame. If an acceptable bid is not received within
the allotted time, the computing device terminates the bidding
process, makes another counteroffer, or makes a final offer. To
illustrate, the database could contain bid factors that instruct
the software program to discount the asking price by 10% in the
first counteroffer, by an additional 5% in the second counteroffer,
and by an additional 3% in the third counteroffer, by an additional
0% in the fourth counteroffer but display an offer for free
maintenance, by an additional 0% in the fifth counteroffer but
display one or more laudatory comments about the product, and by an
additional 0% in the sixth counteroffer but terminating the process
and inviting the consumer to contact the product owner either
remotely or in person. Many such schemes are available to
facilitate the method of the invention.
[0030] In some embodiments, the one or more optional items of
information displayed on a webpage from the database is a listing
of one or more different products that are priced at or about the
consumer's latest bid or bid counteroffer. Typically, the items of
information are displayed when the consumer's bid or bid
counteroffer is lower than the minimum amount acceptable for the
product and it is desirable to offer alternative products that
would appear to be affordable to the consumer based on the
consumer's latest bid or bid counteroffer. For example, if an
automobile originally offered at $12,000 has a lowest allowable
sale price of $11,000 but a consumer makes an offer of only
$10,000, the optional items of information displayed on a webpage
from the database could be one or more other automobiles that are
offered at about a price of $10,000. If the consumer selects one of
these automobiles, the online interactive bidding methods of the
invention begin for the selected automobile or alternative
automobiles in inventory or from other sources may be displayed,
even if these alternative products are not available for bidding.
In these embodiments, the different products can be displayed at
the same time or can be displayed sequentially, typically from
highest price to lowest price.
[0031] The software program that controls the computing device
comprises computer-executable instructions, such as program
modules, that are executed by the computing device. Generally,
program or program modules include routines, program commands,
objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform
particular tasks or implement particular procedures, e.g., perform
calculations, store and retrieve data from associated databases,
and manage communications between computers and websites via the
internet. The software program is written in any programming
language that permits the computing device to accomplish the
methods of the invention. Typical languages include HyperText
Markup Language, Java, Javascript, PHP, Python, ASP.NET, and the
like. Developing software programs to enable the methods and
systems of the invention is within the scope of skilled artisans,
e.g., software engineers.
[0032] The term "immediately" means that, absent problems with the
internet or absent problems with the computing devices and
databases utilizing the methods, the consumer receives a
counteroffer and related information within about 5 minutes or less
from the time the bid is communicated to the computing device,
preferably about 2 minutes or less, more preferably about 1 minute
or less, most preferably 30 seconds or less. In preferred
embodiments, the consumer receives a counteroffer and related
information within about 10 seconds or less, preferably about 5
seconds or less, more preferably about 2 seconds or less, and most
preferably about 1 second or less. This means that the computing
device receives the bid, identifies the product from the database,
evaluates the bid, calculates the counteroffer, displays the
counteroffer and any other optional information is about 10 seconds
or less, preferably about 5 seconds or less, more preferably about
2 seconds or less, and most preferably about 1 second or less.
[0033] In various embodiments, this process takes about 0.5 seconds
or less, preferably about 0.1 seconds or less.
[0034] The webpage can be displayed to the consumer on any suitable
device capable of showing webpages, preferably on a computer
monitor, laptop screen, tablet screen, or smartphone screen.
[0035] In another aspect, the invention provides online interactive
bidding systems useful for selling products to consumers. The
systems comprise a website displaying a webpage containing a
listing for a product for sale and one or more interactive webpage
elements that permit a consumer viewing the webpage to bid on and
purchase the product; and computing device that interacts online
via the internet with the webpage and receives from the webpage (1)
information that identifies the product, (2) the bid placed by the
consumer for the product, and (3) information that the consumer
elected to purchase the product; wherein the computing device is
associated with one or more database containing information about
the product, and wherein the computing device is under the control
of a software program that immediately (1) accesses the database
and determines the identity of the product, (2) evaluates the bid
from the consumer, (3) either accepts the bid or calculates a
counteroffer, (4) displays on a webpage either a message that the
bid was accepted or the counteroffer, (5) optionally, displays on a
webpage one or more optional items of information from the database
about the product, (6) when a counteroffer is made, displays a
countdown timer showing the amount of time the consumer has to make
a bid counteroffer, (7) when a counteroffer is made, displays an
interactive webpage element that permits the consumer to make a bid
counteroffer in response to the counteroffer and any optional items
of information about the product from the database, and (8) when a
counteroffer is made, displays an interactive webpage element that
permits the consumer to accept any counteroffer from the computing
device and elect to purchase the product.
[0036] Unlike other online bidding methods and systems currently
available, the methods and systems of the present invention provide
an interactive response that provides immediate feedback to the
consumer in response to the consumer's bid on a product.
[0037] Methods and systems for hosting websites and displaying
webpages that display product listings and interact with remote
computing devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and
similar devices via the internet are known to skilled artisans.
Similarly, webpage elements such as buttons, option buttons, toggle
buttons, popup windows, checkboxes, labels, images, icons,
textboxes, countdown timers (e.g., countdown clocks or countdown
widgets or countdown gadgets), web frames, and similar webpage
elements that permit webpages to remotely interact with computing
devices are known to skilled artisans. Typical such elements
comprise buttons that are activated by a click using a mouse or a
touch with a finger or stylus and a popup window comprising one or
more textboxes that receive numerical or textural input from the
user, e.g., numerical input in the form of a bid on a product. In
some embodiments, additional information about the product is
displayed in one or more webpage web frames that contain stationary
information or non-stationary information, e.g., a rotating image
of the product. One or more of the popup windows used in the
invention can be modal, non-modal, or a combination thereof as
needed for a particular function in the bidding methods described
herein.
[0038] The methods and systems of the invention are described and
exemplified in terms defined in the context of using the internet
to display webpages on websites. These methods and systems are also
defined to include other related methods and systems that
accomplish the same function. For example, the invention is defined
to include methods and systems wherein one or more computing
devices are connected directly via wired or wireless connections.
As another example, the invention is defined to include methods and
systems wherein web services or application services share logic,
data, and processes through a programmatic interface across a
network, but do not provide the consumer with a graphical user
interface (GUI). When using such web services, the applications
interface with each other but do not interface with the consumer.
Then, application developers add the web service to a GUI such as a
web page or an executable program to offer specific functionality
to the consumer. Such web services allow different applications
from different sources to communicate with each other without
time-consuming custom coding. Because all communication is in XML,
web services are not tied to any one operating system or
programming language. For example, Java can talk with Perl, Windows
applications can talk with UNIX applications, and the like. These
and other similar methods and systems are known to skilled
artisans.
[0039] In another aspect, the present invention provides a means
for communicating information about or instructions for using
online interactive bidding methods and systems useful for selling
products to consumers. The communicating means comprises a
document, digital storage media, optical storage media, audio
presentation, or visual display containing the information or
instructions. Preferably, the communication is a webpage, webpage
element, brochure, product label, advertisement, or visual display
containing such information or instructions. More preferably, the
communication is a displayed webpage or a popup window or web frame
on a displayed webpage. Useful information includes one or more of
(1) information about online interactive bidding methods and
systems, (2) the benefits and advantages of using online
interactive bidding methods and systems for purchasing products,
and (3) contact information for consumers to use if they have a
question about online interactive bidding methods and systems. In
some embodiments, the means is specifically designed to inform and
educate consumers about the immediate and efficient nature of the
present methods and systems and thus overcome consumer's reluctance
to participate in current bidding processes that often take hours
or days to conclude. Useful instructions include (1) methods and
techniques for using online interactive bidding methods and systems
to purchase a product, (2) methods for completing a product
purchase, and (3) methods for obtaining a purchased product, e.g.,
shipping of picking up a product.
[0040] The communication means is useful for instructing consumers
on the methods for using the present invention and communicating
about the benefits of online interactive bidding methods and
systems for consumers.
[0041] The various techniques described herein may be implemented
in connection with hardware, software or, where appropriate, a
combination of both. Thus, the methods and systems of the
invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the
form of program code (i.e., instructions) or databases embodied in
tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or
any other machine-readable storage medium where, when the program
code is loaded into and executed by a computing device, such as a
computer, the computing device becomes an apparatus for practicing
the present invention.
[0042] Although various embodiments of the invention may use
various aspects of the invention in the context of one or more
stand-alone computing devices or systems, the invention is not so
limited, but rather may be implemented in connection with any
computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing
environment. Still further, aspects of the present invention may be
implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or
devices, and storage may similarly be affected across a plurality
of devices, e.g., personal computers, network servers, and handheld
devices.
[0043] As used herein, the singular form of a word includes the
plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Thus, the references "a", "an", and "the" are generally
inclusive of the plurals of the respective terms. For example,
reference to "a method" includes a plurality of such "methods."
Similarly, the words "comprise", "comprises", and "comprising" are
to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. Likewise the
terms "include", "including" and "or" should all be construed to be
inclusive, unless such a construction is clearly prohibited from
the context.
[0044] All patents, patent applications, publications, technical
and/or scholarly articles, and other references cited or referred
to herein are in their entirety incorporated herein by reference to
the extent allowed by law. The discussion of those references is
intended merely to summarize the assertions made therein. No
admission is made that any such patents, patent applications,
publications or references, or any portion thereof, are relevant,
material, or prior art. The right to challenge the accuracy and
pertinence of any assertion of such patents, patent applications,
publications, and other references as relevant, material, or prior
art is specifically reserved.
[0045] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific
terms, terms of art, and acronyms used herein have the meanings
commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the
field(s) of the invention, or in the field(s) where the term is
used. Although any, methods, systems, or other means or materials
similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the
practice of the present invention, the preferred methods, systems,
or other means or materials are described herein.
[0046] In the specification, there have been disclosed typical
preferred embodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are
employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the invention is set
forth in the claims. Many modifications and variations of the
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
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